Threshold Marking and Aiming Point Marking

Threshold marking definition

Transverse white stripe pattern at the beginning of the runway available for landing.

Threshold marking colour

ALL WHITE.

Threshold marking also known as

Piano keys.

Threshold marking stripes 18 metre wide runway

4 stripes.

Threshold marking stripes 23 metre wide runway

6 stripes.

Threshold marking stripes 30 metre wide runway

8 stripes.

Threshold marking stripes 45 metre wide runway

12 stripes.

Threshold marking stripes 60 metre wide or more runway

16 stripes.

Threshold marking stripe start position

Stripes start 6 metres from the threshold.

Threshold marking stripe length

Stripes are at least 30 metres long.

Threshold marking stripe spacing

Stripes are approximately 1.80 metres apart.

Threshold marking lateral extent

Stripes extend laterally to within 3 metres of runway edge OR 27 metres either side of centreline whichever is smaller.

Threshold marking designation number placement

Designation number placed within OR above the stripe pattern.

Displaced threshold definition

Threshold moved forward from the runway end for landing operations.

Displaced threshold marking

Transverse white stripe at the displaced threshold position.

Displaced threshold arrow marking

Arrows on the pre-threshold area pointing TOWARD the displaced threshold.

Displaced threshold reasons

Runway end safety area insufficient, unserviceable surface, Instrument Landing System glide path angle, obstacle clearance.

Displaced threshold pre-threshold area

Paved area before displaced threshold that is NOT suitable for normal landing operations.

Pre-threshold chevron marking

Chevrons point TOWARD the threshold. Warns pilot area is not usable for landing.

Pre-threshold chevron colour

WHITE.

Threshold marking mandatory

Required on ALL paved runways.

Threshold marking for non-precision runways

Required on all paved runways intended for international operations.

Threshold marking for precision runways

Required on all paved precision instrument runways.

Threshold lighting

Fixed unidirectional GREEN lights showing in approach direction.

Threshold wing bar lights

GREEN barrette lights on each side of displaced threshold for non-instrument and non-precision runways.

Aiming point marking definition

Two broad white stripes providing visual guidance for landing flare and touchdown.

Aiming point marking colour

ALL WHITE.

Aiming point marking distance for landing distance available less than 800 metres

150 metres from threshold.

Aiming point marking distance for landing distance available 800 to less than 1,200 metres

250 metres from threshold.

Aiming point marking distance for landing distance available 1,200 to less than 2,400 metres

300 metres from threshold.

Aiming point marking distance for landing distance available 2,400 metres and over

400 metres from threshold.

Aiming point marking position relative to PAPI

Start of marking coincident with PAPI visual slope origin.

Aiming point marking Code 4

Landing distance available at least 2,400 metres gives threshold crossing height approximately 67 feet at pilot eye level.

Aiming point marking mandatory

Mandatory for Code 2, 3, and 4 paved instrument runways.

Aiming point marking recommended

Recommended for Code 3 and 4 non-precision or non-instrument runways where extra conspicuity needed.

Aiming point marking appearance

Two broad rectangular white stripes.

Threshold marking Designator

Two-digit number representing magnetic heading rounded to nearest 10 degrees. Single digit preceded by zero.

Parallel runway suffixes

L for Left, C for Centre, R for Right as seen from approach direction.

Two parallel runways suffix

L and R.

Three parallel runways suffix

L, C, R.

Four parallel runways suffix

One pair uses nearest magnetic heading divided by 10. Adjacent pair uses next nearest.

Runway designation marking

Number placed at threshold end of runway.

Runway centreline marking

Stripe plus gap total of 50 to 75 metres. Stripe length at least 30 metres or equal to gap whichever is greater.

Touchdown Zone marking definition

Pairs of rectangular markings symmetrically about centreline indicating touchdown zone.

Touchdown Zone marking required

Required for Code 2, 3, and 4 paved precision approach runways.

Touchdown Zone marking recommended

Recommended for Code 3 and 4 non-precision or non-instrument runways where extra conspicuity needed.

Touchdown Zone marking spacing

Longitudinal spacing of 150 metres between pairs starting from threshold.

Touchdown Zone marking Code 4

Landing distance available at least 1,800 metres has 6 pairs total.

Touchdown Zone marking deletion

If a touchdown zone pair coincides with or is within 50 metres of aiming point marking that pair is DELETED.

Touchdown Zone Pattern A

Basic plain pairs of equal rectangles.

Touchdown Zone Pattern B

Distance coded pairs of different sizes indicating remaining touchdown zone distance.

Threshold strip width

Area immediately before threshold that is prepared and maintained.

Runway end marking

Fixed unidirectional RED lights showing toward departing aircraft at least 6 lights in row.